Agriculture: A Cornerstone
of Washington's Economy

Rich soils, diverse climates and large-scale irrigation make Washington one of the most productive growing regions in the world and enables farmers to produce some 300 crops each year.  The state's deep-water ports and its proximity to important Asian markets also provide natural advantages for agricultural trade. 

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics for WA

• The state's $40 billion food and agriculture industry employs approximately 160,000 people and contributes 12% percent to the state's economy.
• Nearly $13 billion in food and agricultural products were exported through Washington ports in 2010, the third largest total in the U.S.

Top Crops
Washington's 39,500 farms power a diverse agricultural economy, led by the state's apple industry with 60 percent of  U.S. production.  In addition to the top 10 commodities listed below, the Evergreen State is a major producer of potatoes, stone fruits, farm forest products, fish, shellfish, onions and mint oils.

View Washington's 2010 top crops [PDF 555 KB] and food processing industries [PDF 567 KB] maps and "Washington Grown Seasonality Charts" for Vegetables [PDF 284 KB] and Fruits, Legume and Herbs. [PDF 218 KB]

USDA's 2010 "The Pride of Washington State" brochure [PDF 313 KB], "Top Forty Agricultural Commodities, WA, 2008-2010" list [PDF 41 KB] and "Washington's 2010 Agricultural Value Second Highest Record" press release. [PDF 92 KB]

Please visit USDA's Washington State Field Office for more information.